Latest news with #RajasthanRoyals'
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
IPL Sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi Touches PM Modi's Feet In Beautiful Bihar Airport Meet
Rajasthan Royals' 14-year-old sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, rocked the cricketing world with his exemplary performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Though Rajasthan failed to qualify for the IPL finals, Suryavanshi remained the talk of the town, especially for his 35-ball hundred, scored against the Gujarat Titans. On Friday, however, Suryavanshi and his parents had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Bihar airport. The teenage batter even touched PM Modi's feet as a mark of respect. "At Patna airport, met the young cricketing sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi and his family. His cricketing skills are being admired all over the nation! My best wishes to him for his future endeavours," PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter), along with a few pictures with Vaibhav and his parents. At Patna airport, met the young cricketing sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi and his family. His cricketing skills are being admired all over the nation! My best wishes to him for his future endeavours. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 30, 2025 Suryavanshi, who turned out for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) this season, has been one of the breakthrough stars of the tournament. In just seven matches, the teenager accumulated 252 runs, but it was his explosive century against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Jaipur that truly sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Batting with a maturity well beyond his years, Suryavanshi hammered 101 off just 38 deliveries, becoming the youngest ever centurion in men's T20 cricket. His hundred, which came off just 35 balls, now stands as the second-fastest century in IPL history, a staggering feat for a player just 14 years old. Earlier, in his Mann Ki Baat address, PM Modi had lauded the young cricketer for his exploits in the IPL. "I have seen in the IPL, the son of Bihar, Vaibhav Suryavanshi's spectacular performance. At such a young age, Vaibhav has set such a great record. There is a lot of hard work behind Vaibhav's performance," PM Modi had said. "To bring his talent to the forefront, he has played many matches at different levels. The more you play, the more you will shine. Competing in matches and competitions as much as possible is very important. The NDA government has always given it the highest priority in its policies," he added.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
PM Narendra Modi Meets 14-Year-Old IPL Sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Rajasthan Royals' 14-year-old sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, rocked the cricketing world with his exemplary performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Though Rajasthan failed to qualify for the IPL finals, Suryavanshi remained the talk of the town, especially for his 35-ball hundred, scored against the Gujarat Titans. On Friday, however, Suryavanshi and his parents had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Bihar airport. The teenage batter even touched PM Modi's feet as a mark of respect. "At Patna airport, met the young cricketing sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi and his family. His cricketing skills are being admired all over the nation! My best wishes to him for his future endeavours," PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter), along with a few pictures with Vaibhav and his parents. At Patna airport, met the young cricketing sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi and his family. His cricketing skills are being admired all over the nation! My best wishes to him for his future endeavours. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 30, 2025 Suryavanshi, who turned out for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) this season, has been one of the breakthrough stars of the tournament. In just seven matches, the teenager accumulated 252 runs, but it was his explosive century against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Jaipur that truly sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Batting with a maturity well beyond his years, Suryavanshi hammered 101 off just 38 deliveries, becoming the youngest ever centurion in men's T20 cricket. His hundred, which came off just 35 balls, now stands as the second-fastest century in IPL history, a staggering feat for a player just 14 years old. Earlier, in his Mann Ki Baat address, PM Modi had lauded the young cricketer for his exploits in the IPL. "I have seen in the IPL, the son of Bihar, Vaibhav Suryavanshi's spectacular performance. At such a young age, Vaibhav has set such a great record. There is a lot of hard work behind Vaibhav's performance," PM Modi had said. "To bring his talent to the forefront, he has played many matches at different levels. The more you play, the more you will shine. Competing in matches and competitions as much as possible is very important. The NDA government has always given it the highest priority in its policies," he added.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sports marketing in the age of experiential
HighlightsExperiential marketing in sports has become the preferred strategy for brands to engage fans, moving beyond traditional sponsorship methods to create emotional bonds through immersive experiences. Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing fan engagement, with augmented reality and virtual reality enabling personalized experiences such as virtual training and interactive match viewing. Social media amplifies brand efforts by turning fans into content creators and ambassadors, fostering a deep connection that transforms spectators into active participants in the sporting experience. By Vaishal Dalal Sports, particularly in countries such as India, are not just games; they are festivals, sentiments, and a sense of belonging. As fans now want experiences beyond screen time, brands are moving away from conventional sponsorship to create immersive, experience-led strategies that create emotional bonds. Perimeter ads and logo placements still exist, but today's impact lies in how deeply a brand can engage fans. Experiential marketing in sports has emerged as the preferred route for sponsors to build lasting bonds. Be it the IPL , T20 World Cup, or any other format, brands are delivering unforgettable moments from meet-and-greets with players and VIP match access to tech-enabled fan zones. The Millennials and Gen Z specifically demand two-way interaction: rewards in real-time, shareable content, and shareable moments. Smartphones, fast internet, and immersive technologies like AR/VR have made it possible for brands to deliver hyper-personalized experiences. From a VR batting experience to an AR jersey filter, the fusion of the digital and physical worlds is altering the way fans interact. Personalized rewards, loyalty programs, and gamified apps are increasingly essential in today's sponsorship mix. Among the most powerful tactics are player meet-and-greets. Through contests and fan clubs, brands are giving supporters the chance to meet their heroes, creating lifelong memories and brand affinity. In IPL 2024, sponsors hosted both digital and in-person interactions with cricket icons. These moments extended to the corporate realm, too, where sponsors offered client exclusives, turning emotional experiences into relationship-building tools. Another impactful approach is curating exclusive matchday experiences. From VIP suites and behind-the-scenes access to pitch-side walks and presenting the match ball on-air, brands are making dreams come true. One example is when Rajasthan Royals' 'Cricket on Wheels' brought this vibe on the road, taking stadium experiences to cities via mobile vans packed with VR games and virtual selfies with players. Recent campaigns highlight the shift toward deeper engagement. JioCinema transformed digital viewing by offering multi-camera angles, real-time stats, and interactive features during IPL, making viewing participative. Dream11 turned fantasy into reality through contests that rewarded winners with real-life player interactions. Coca-Cola engaged fans with AR-based jersey filters and celebration zones during FIFA. At the heart of this evolution is technology. AR/VR lets fans do the unthinkable: explore locker rooms or join virtual training. Apps enable prediction games, leaderboards, and contests that deepen live engagement. Dream11's second-screen features enhanced real-time interaction during IPL, offering rewards, rankings, and exclusive event access. Social media serves as the megaphone for it all. From dedicated hashtags to content creation challenges and shareable experiences, fans help increase the brand's efforts. A single experience often snowballs into a widespread digital movement, turning viewers into content creators and fans into ambassadors. Experiential marketing delivers something enduring, a connection in an age of short attention spans. By transforming spectators into participants and brands into memory-makers, sponsors aren't just advertising; they're becoming part of the fan's story. (The author is co-founder & director, Excellent Publicity. Opinions are personal)
NDTV
5 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Teenage Ton, Pricey Flop: Highs And Lows As IPL Enters Playoffs
The Indian Premier League has finally reached the playoff stage, later than planned, leaving four teams to battle for the title beginning on Thursday. AFP Sport highlights the best and worst of the T20 league in 2025 -- from a 14-year-old bursting onto the scene to deadly armed conflict bringing a dramatic halt to the action. - Sensational Suryavanshi - Rajasthan Royals' 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi catapulted himself into the world cricket spotlight by belting his first ball fearlessly for six on his IPL debut. The youngest player ever to grace the IPL made headlines with 34 off 20 balls against Lucknow Super Giants, but it was just a taste of what was to come. Nine days later, Suryavanshi smashed the Gujarat Titans bowlers to all parts as he scored the second fastest hundred in tournament history. The teenager brought up his century off 35 balls with 11 sixes and seven fours to stand behind only West Indies great Chris Gayle, who took 30 balls to make a ton in 2013. The staggering power-hitting of left-hander Suryavanshi, who cost $130,500 as a 13-year-old at November's auction, enabled Rajasthan to chase down their 210 target with more than four overs to spare. He rounded off a remarkable debut season with 57 against Chennai Super Kings in his final outing. - Costly Pant - Lucknow splashed a record $3.21 million to secure Rishabh Pant as captain, but the India wicketkeeper-batsman appeared to buckle under the weight of his price tag. The usually swashbuckling ball striker failed to fire or inspire as Lucknow were eliminated from the playoff race with two matches to play. He belatedly found his touch in Lucknow's final match on Tuesday night, scoring 118 off 61 balls in another losing cause against Bengaluru. The knock raised his season average to an ordinary 24.45 from an abject 13.72 going into the match, and barely disguised his poor value for money after a return of 269 runs from 13 innings. - Dharamsala drama - The IPL was suspended on May 9, a day after the Punjab Kings-Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala was abandoned while nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire across their border. Players left the field and crowds were hurried out of the ground as air raid warnings sounded in the city less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Jammu, where explosions had been reported hours earlier. Players and officials had to board a train to escape to New Delhi because local airspace had been closed. A ceasefire allowed a resumption on May 17, but Australia and Delhi's Mitchell Starc, who had been caught up in the Dharamsala drama, decided not to return. - Records wait - Sunrisers Hyderabad came within a whisker of beating their own IPL record score of 287 during the second match of the season in March. Powered by Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 106, the 2016 champions posted 286-6 in a 44-run victory over Rajasthan Royals. Pundits predicted that the 300-run barrier might be breached this season. But after that no team went past 250 until Sunday, when high-scoring Sunrisers posted 278-5 in their final match as Heinrich Klaasen hit 105 not out off 39 balls. - Dhoni decision? - Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings completed a heavy fall from grace as they finished bottom of the table for the first time in their history. Champions in 2023 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the India great again took charge when captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured mid-season. Dhoni, now 43, could not revive the glory days and Chennai became the first team to be eliminated from the playoff picture. After signing off with a consolation 83-run win over Gujarat Titans, Dhoni said he was in "no hurry" to decide on whether he would retire after a glittering career.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
High and lows of IPL: Vaibhav Suryavanshi's century and Rishabh Pant's price tag
Rajasthan Royals' teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi set the Indian Premier league alight with a magnificent century. Image: Arun Sankar / AFP The Indian Premier League has finally reached the playoff stage, later than planned, leaving four teams to battle for the title beginning on Thursday. AFP Sport highlights the best and worst of the T20 league in 2025 -- from a 14-year-old bursting onto the scene to deadly armed conflict bringing a dramatic halt to the action. Sensational Suryavanshi Rajasthan Royals' 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi catapulted himself into the world cricket spotlight by belting his first ball fearlessly for six on his IPL debut. The youngest player ever to grace the IPL made headlines with 34 off 20 balls against Lucknow Super Giants, but it was just a taste of what was to come. Nine days later, Suryavanshi smashed the Gujarat Titans bowlers to all parts as he scored the second fastest hundred in tournament history. The teenager brought up his century off 35 balls with 11 sixes and seven fours to stand behind only West Indies great Chris Gayle, who took 30 balls to make a ton in 2013. The staggering power-hitting of left-hander Suryavanshi, who cost $130,500 as a 13-year-old at November's auction, enabled Rajasthan to chase down their 210 target with more than four overs to spare. He rounded off a remarkable debut season with 57 against Chennai Super Kings in his final outing. Costly Pant Lucknow splashed a record $3.21 million to secure Rishabh Pant as captain, but the India wicketkeeper-batsman appeared to buckle under the weight of his price tag. The usually swashbuckling ball striker failed to fire or inspire as Lucknow were eliminated from the playoff race with two matches to play. He belatedly found his touch in Lucknow's final match on Tuesday night, scoring 118 off 61 balls in another losing cause against Bengaluru. The knock raised his season average to an ordinary 24.45 from an abject 13.72 going into the match, and barely disguised his poor value for money after a return of 269 runs from 13 innings. Dharamsala drama The IPL was suspended on May 9, a day after the Punjab Kings-Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala was abandoned while nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire across their border. Players left the field and crowds were hurried out of the ground as air raid warnings sounded in the city less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Jammu, where explosions had been reported hours earlier. Players and officials had to board a train to escape to New Delhi because local airspace had been closed. A ceasefire allowed a resumption on May 17, but Australia and Delhi's Mitchell Starc, who had been caught up in the Dharamsala drama, decided not to return. Records wait Sunrisers Hyderabad came within a whisker of beating their own IPL record score of 287 during the second match of the season in March. Powered by Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 106, the 2016 champions posted 286-6 in a 44-run victory over Rajasthan Royals. Pundits predicted that the 300-run barrier might be breached this season. But after that no team went past 250 until Sunday, when high-scoring Sunrisers posted 278-5 in their final match as Heinrich Klaasen hit 105 not out off 39 balls. Dhoni decision? Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings completed a heavy fall from grace as they finished bottom of the table for the first time in their history.
